Tamper Resistant Weighted Rodent and Insect Bait Station

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a bait station and method for securing it using a receptacle for holding a weight to weight a bait enclosure and by stakes formed as a unitary part of the enclosure for securing the enclosure.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No.10/550,378, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,735,258, filed Sep. 21, 2005, which is anational phase application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of InternationalApplication No. PCT/US2004/008692 filed Mar. 19, 2004, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/456,807 filed Mar. 22,2003, all of which are incorporated by reference without disclaimer.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of rodent and insect baitstations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bait stations are used to house poisonous bait that kill rodents orinsects. Typical rodent bait station configurations are described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,448,852 and 5,040,327. In summary, a typical rodentbait station comprises an enclosure containing poisonous bait. One ormore doorways into the enclosure is provided for the rodent to enter andeat some of the bait. The poisonous bait causes the rodent to die afterleaving the bait station. Partitions within the enclosure prevent harmto a child by forming angles around which a child cannot reach to touchthe bait. A lid that can only be opened with a special tool is providedto replace the bait, thereby making the bait station tamper resistant.Insect bait stations are similar in operation.

A bait station must be secured to prevent it from easily being tippedover or moved. The conventional manner for securing a bait station is tobolt it to something heavy such as a concrete structure or patio block.For example, a long bolt can be inserted through the base of the baitstation and through a hole in a patio block. Then a washer and nut isscrewed onto a threaded end of the bolt to secure the bait station tothe patio block. The weight of the patio block then holds the baitstation in place. Such methods of securing a base station areinconvenient and what is needed is a more convenient method for securinga base station.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes prior art limitations by providing aneasy method to secure a bait station. According to one aspect of theinvention, a bait station is provided with a receptacle in which a patioblock or other heavy material can be inserted to weight the baitstation. According to another aspect of the invention, for ease ofmanufacture, a separate unit to which the bait enclosure of the baitstation can be connected forms the receptacle that holds the block,weight or heavy material. According to another aspect of the invention,an existing bait station can be adapted to be secured to the receptaclethat holds the weight using an easily implemented adapting mechanismdesigned there for. According to yet another aspect of the invention astake is provided to secure the bait station to the ground as analternative to using a weighting structure.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly aspects, features andtechnical advantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional aspects, features and advantages of the invention will bedescribed hereinafter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in theart that the disclosure provided herein may be readily utilized as abasis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out thesame purposes of the present invention. Persons of skill in the art willrealize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spiritand scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims, and thatnot all objects attainable by the present invention need be attained ineach and every embodiment that falls within the scope of the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present intention, and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a drawing of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a drawing of a connecting assembly.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of a connecting mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a drawing of a connecting mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a drawing of a stake appendage mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a drawing of a receptacle for holding a weighting object.

FIG. 8 is a top view drawing of a bait station of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view drawing of a bait station of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. Aconventional enclosure 1000 for a bait station is molded from a suitableplastic material as a unit with a receptacle 1200. Receptacle 1200 isdimensioned to receive a weighting structure 1400, such as an ordinarycommercially available patio block that can slide into the receptacle1200. In this way, no special securing apparatus, such as a nut, bolt,and washer assembly, is required to secure the bait station to the patioblock or other weighting structure. Moreover, the patio block can beremoved from the bait station by simply removing it from the receptacle1200, without the necessity of disassembling a separate securingmechanism such as the aforementioned bolt assembly. Further, one or morelip mechanisms 1300 can be provided to secure the weight in place withinreceptacle 1200. Alternative methods may be employed to secure theweight in place within the receptacle such as described with referenceto FIG. 7.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 2. Aconventional bait station 2000 is molded separately from a receptacle2200 for ease and lower cost of manufacture. Bait station 2000 may thenbe permanently or removably connected to receptacle 2200. As describedabode with reference to FIG. 1, receptacle 2200 is designed to hold aweighting structure such as a patio block 2400, which can be secured inplace with lip mechanisms 2300, or functionally comparable mechanism.

As an alternative, or in addition to, the lip mechanisms 1300, 2300shown in FIG. 1 or 2, an end cap that covers and encloses the open endof receptacle 1200, 2200 may be employed to secure the weightingmaterial therein. This facilitates enclosing the weighting materialwithin a cavity formed by receptacle 2200, enabling insertion andenclosure of a patio block, rock, gravel, sand, concrete, or othermaterial of sufficient density to weight the bait station.

One method for securing bait station 2000 to receptacle 2200 is to usean adhesive cement to bond the base 2020 of bait station 2000 to anupper surface 2220 of receptacle 2200. A method for removably securingbait station 2000 to receptacle 2200 is to provide one or more nut andbolt assemblies, as shown in FIG. 3. A bolt 3010 is inserted upwardthrough a washer 3020 and through upper surface 2220 of receptacle 2200,through a second washer 3030 and through base 2020 of bait station 2000,and is secured with a nut 3040. A plurality of nut and bolt assembliesso installed and distributed over the area of base 2020 may be providedfor greater strength and durability. Clearly, the bolts can also oralternatively be inserted downward through the base through the uppersurface of the receptacle.

An alternative method for securing bait station 2000 to receptacle 2200is by providing a tongue and groove mechanism as shown in FIG. 4. On theunderside of the base 2020 of bait station 2000 is a tongue 4020. Tongue4020 is dimensioned and positioned to mate with a groove 4040—shown, forclarity, at right angles to the direction of tongue 4020—formed in uppersurface 2220 of receptacle 220. When tongue 4020 is inserted throughgroove 4040 a lip 4050 of tongue 4020 causes the bait station 2000 to besecured to receptacle 2200. A plurality of tongue and groove mechanismsso installed and distributed over the area of base 2020 may be providedfor greater strength and durability. Clearly, the grooves may also oralternatively be formed in the base of the enclosure to receive tonguesformed to protrude from the upper surface of the receptacle.

Another embodiment for securing bait station 2000 to receptacle 2200 isto provide one or more protrusions 5050, as shown in FIG. 5. Protrusion5050 extends upward from the upper surface 2220 of receptacle 2200,through a hole 5060 in the floor 2020 of bait enclosure 2000. Aplurality of protrusions 5050 and mating holes 5060 for receiving theprotrusions so formed and distributed over the area of base 2020 may beprovided for greater strength and durability. Clearly, the protrusionsmay also or alternatively extend downward from the base of the enclosureand protrude into holes provided in the receptacle.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 6, where analternative to providing a receptacle for a weighting structure isprovided. One or more stakes 6010 are formed as a part of a unitarywhole with bait station enclosure 2000. Stakes 6010 are directeddownward from the base 2020 of bait station 2000 into the earth, therebysecuring the bait station in place. This may be preferable to use of aweighting structure in certain situations. A plurality of stakes 6010distributed over the area of base 2020 may be provided for greaterstrength and durability. By forming the stakes as a unitary part of thebait enclosure, separate stakes need not be provided.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative configuration of a receptacle 7200 forholding a weighting structure such as a patio block for securing a baitenclosure. This configuration requires less material for manufacture. Asan alternative to molding lip mechanisms, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, alocking bar may be inserted through slots 7270 to secure the weightingstructure within receptacle 7200. Holes 7250 are shown for securingreceptacle 7200 to a bait enclosure using methods described above withreference to FIGS. 2 through 6.

A top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shownin FIG. 8. An enclosure 8000 for a bait station is preferably moldedfrom a suitable plastic material as an integral unit. A lid 8200 shownin the open position in FIG. 8 is molded to the enclosure 8000, foldingat line 8801 Formed in lid 8200 are two sets of locking retentionelements 8001 which, when the lid is closed, interlock withcorresponding sets of deflection elements 8002 integrally molded intothe enclosure 8000.

Formed in bait station 8000 are two doors 8700, one in each sidewall ofthe station, to enable rodents and other pests, such as roaches, toenter and exit the enclosure. Interior to the enclosure is a baitchamber formed by walls 8900 that extend vertically from the bottom ofenclosure 8000 up to the top of the enclosure flush with the surface oflid 8200 when lid 8200 is closed. A door 8500 to the bait chamberenables the rodent or pest to enter and access the poisonous bait placedin the bait chamber in region A.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, showing side door 8700 and interior wall 900. Note that theorientation and dimension of the enclosure doors 8700 and bait chamberdoor 8500 in wall 8900 is such that no child could insert his or herhand into the enclosure 8000 and reach the bait. Also note that the door8500 exhibits a threshold 9600 that is raised slightly, about a halfinch from the bottom of enclosure 8000, to prevent liquid from enteringthe bait chamber.

At the top of enclosure 8000 is an exterior lip 8300 that protrudesupward from a surface 9200 and extends around at least most of the outerperiphery of the top of the enclosure. A second lip 9100 also protrudesupward from surface 9200 and extends around at least most of theperiphery of the top of enclosure 8000, following a path a distance tfrom the edge of lip 8300. At the top of lid 8200 is also a lip 8201extending around at least most of the periphery of lid 8200. When lid8200 is closed to cover enclosure 8000, then lip 8201 fits between lips8300 and 9100. More particularly, the outer most edge 8202 of lip 8201fits snugly against or closely adjacent to the inner most edge 8301 oflip 8300. This prevents an attempt to pry open the lid by preventing asharp or flat-edged object from being inserted between the top of theenclosure and the lid, thereby adding supplemental tamper resistance.Thus, a lip engaging mechanism is provided to further enhance thetamper-resistant functionality of the bait station of the presentinvention. Note that the engaging lips 8300 and 8201 should preferablyextend around a substantial portion of the periphery of the top of theenclosure to substantially eliminate any region around the peripherywhere prying of the lid can occur.

Also shown in FIG. 8, integrally molded into lid 8200 are ridges 8602.These ridges add strength to the lid. Further, forced lateral shiftingof the lid is substantially prevented because ridges 8602 when shiftedlaterally will contact and be blocked by walls 8900 from any substantiallateral shifting.

Although the present invention and its advantageous have been describedin detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutionsand alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The inventionachieves multiple objectives and because the invention can be used indifferent applications for different purposes, not every embodimentfalling within the scope of the attached claims will achieve everyobjective. Moreover, the scope of the present application is notintended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process,machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and stepsdescribed in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art willreadily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention,processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means,methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed thatperform substantially the same function or achieve substantially thesame result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may beutilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appendedclaims are intended to include within their scope such processes,machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, forsteps.

1. A method of using a bait station, comprising: placing bait designedto kill rodents in a bait station that is removably secured to areceptacle in which weighted material has been placed, the bait stationcomprising a lid and a base that define an interior when the lid isclosed, the base having a doorway that leads to the interior.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the lid is integrally hinged to the base. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein the bait station includes a bait chamberdefined at least in part by walls that extend vertically from the base.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the base includes a second doorwaythat leads to the interior.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the lid isintegrally hinged to the base.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein thebait station includes a bait chamber defined at least in part by wallsthat extend vertically from the base.
 7. The method of claim 6, whereinthe base has a height and a front-to-back width that is greater than theheight.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the base has a height and afront-to-back width that is greater than the height.
 9. A method ofusing a bait station, comprising: placing bait designed to kill rodentsin a bait station that is secured to a receptacle in which weightedmaterial has been placed; the bait station comprising a lid and a base,the base and lid defining an interior when the lid is closed, the basehaving a doorway that leads to the interior, the base also having abottom in which one or more openings are positioned; the receptaclehaving one or more protrusions extending through the one or moreopenings in the bottom of the base of the bait station.
 10. The methodof claim 9, wherein the lid is integrally hinged to the base.
 11. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the bait station includes a bait chamberdefined at least in part by walls that extend vertically from the base.12. The method of claim 9, wherein the base includes a second doorwaythat leads to the interior.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the lidis integrally hinged to the base.
 14. The method of claim 13, whereinthe bait station includes a bait chamber defined at least in part bywalls that extend vertically from the base.
 15. The method of claim 14,wherein the base has a height and a front-to-back width that is greaterthan the height.
 16. The method of claim 9, wherein the base has aheight and a front-to-back width that is greater than the height.
 17. Amethod of using a bait station, comprising: placing bait designed tokill rodents in a bait station that is secured to a receptacle in whichweighted material has been placed; the bait station comprising a lid anda base, the base and lid defining an interior when the lid is closed,the base having a doorway that leads to the interior; the receptaclehaving one or more openings; wherein the base of the bait station hasone or more protrusions extending through the one or more openings inthe receptacle.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the lid isintegrally hinged to the base.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein thebait station includes a bait chamber defined at least in part by wallsthat extend vertically from the base.
 20. The method of claim 17,wherein the base includes a second doorway that leads to the interior.21. The method of claim 20, wherein the lid is integrally hinged to thebase.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the bait station includes abait chamber defined at least in part by walls that extend verticallyfrom the base.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the base has a heightand a front-to-back width that is greater than the height.
 24. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the base has a height and a front-to-backwidth that is greater than the height.